PG&E Metcalf attack: Gunfire on substation has led to greater security

By Geisha Williams

Special to the Mercury News

Posted:
04/15/2014 10:00:00 AM PDT

Updated:
04/15/2014 01:34:03 PM PDT

Most of us barely notice them, but almost 1,000 PG&E substations throughout Northern and Central California hum along 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They serve as the offramps that take power from higher-voltage lines down to levels suitable for homes and businesses.

Almost a year ago at our Metcalf substation south of San Jose, numerous gunshots fired from outside our property caused extensive damage to electrical equipment. Thankfully, no one was hurt and our systems worked as designed to keep customers from losing power.

The Metcalf incident has put a spotlight on the importance of electric grid security across the country. And in my view, there are two major points to emphasize.

First, we take this issue seriously and have responded aggressively.

The security of our facilities has always been critically important to us. Because of the vital job substations perform, the men and women of PG&E work hard to keep them operating safely and reliably at all times.

But after the Metcalf substation incident, we stepped up our security measures even further to provide increased protection. Improvements underway at various substations include new barriers at the perimeter and shielding for certain equipment.

We're also installing more cameras that capture images inside and outside the fencing, and removing nearby brush and other vegetation that can block the cameras' line of sight. For our most critical facilities, we're studying advanced detection technology such as night vision and thermal imaging.

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All told, PG&E is investing about $100 million over the next three years to improve substation security.

Second, safeguarding critical infrastructure, including the country's utility substations, is a shared responsibility. Utilities have the operational expertise; government has the responsibility to create and enforce laws and regulations.

Since the Metcalf incident, PG&E has worked collaboratively with agencies at the federal, state and local levels. We've worked hand-in-hand with fellow utilities as well as independent security experts. Many of the measures we are taking are a result of this coordinated, cooperative effort.

Beyond those measures, we also regularly assess and practice our emergency response procedures so that we're ready when a security incident of any type occurs. One example of this practice took place late last year when we participated in the largest ever full-scale grid security drill, spanning two days and involving more than 200 industry and government organizations throughout North America.

PG&E and the utility industry are committed to continuing this kind of essential collaboration. Constantly sharing information and technology is the key to staying ahead of any threats -- from the perspective of physical security and cyber security.

Our commerce and quality of life runs on electricity. Our nation's electric infrastructure is vital to the safety and well-being of all Americans. We know customers count on us to make our facilities as safe, secure and reliable as possible, regardless of the threat. That is our focus. That is exactly what we are working to do, in every aspect of our operations.

Geisha Williams is executive vice president of Electric Operations for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. She wrote this for this newspaper.